Lactis Strain Bb12 Research Articles

Administration of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis strain BB-12® in healthy children: characterization, functional composition, and metabolism of the gut microbiome.

The consumption of probiotics may influence children's gut microbiome and metabolome, which may reflect shifts in gut microbial diversity composition and metabolism. These potential changes might have a beneficial impact on health. However, there is a lack of evidence investigating the effect of probiotics on the gut microbiome and metabolome of children. We aimed to examine the potential impact of a two (Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii; S2) vs. three (S2 + Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis strain BB-12) strain-supplemented yogurt. Included in this study were 59 participants, aged one to five years old, recruited to phase I of a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Fecal samples were collected at baseline, after the intervention, and at twenty days post-intervention discontinuation, and untargeted metabolomics and shotgun metagenomics were performed. Shotgun metagenomics and metabolomic analyses showed no global changes in either intervention group's gut microbiome alpha or beta diversity indices, except for a lower microbial diversity in the S2 + BB12 group at Day 30. The relative abundance of the two and three intervention bacteria increased in the S2 and S2 + BB12 groups, respectively, from Day 0 to Day 10. In the S2 + BB12 group, the abundance of several fecal metabolites increased at Day 10, including alanine, glycine, lysine, phenylalanine, serine, and valine. These fecal metabolite changes did not occur in the S2 group. In conclusion, there were were no significant differences in the global metagenomic or metabolomic profiles between healthy children receiving two (S2) vs. three (S2 + BB12) probiotic strains for 10 days. Nevertheless, we observed a significant increase (Day 0 to Day 10) in the relative abundance of the two and three probiotics administered in the S2 and S2 + BB12 groups, respectively, indicating the intervention had a measurable impact on the bacteria of interest in the gut microbiome. Future research using longer probiotic intervention durations and in children at risk for gastrointestinal disorders may elucidate if functional metabolite changes confer a protective gastrointestinal effect.

Correlation of gene content in selected bifidobacteria with folate supplier or scavenger status during growth in laboratory media

Five different bifidobacterial cultures were screened to investigate if their de novo folate production ability could be predicated based on their folate biosynthetic gene content. As previously developed folate free media could not adequately support the growth of these five strains, even with added folate, an alternative medium (YNB+) was developed. Consistent with its genome prediction, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis strain Bb-12 required folate for its growth even in the presence of p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA). Although B. longum DJO10A and B. breve ATCC 15701 lack an alkaline phosphatase gene for the formation of one pathway intermediate (DHPPP), both were found to be able to grow independent from folate and PABA suggesting that lack of these genes in genome annotations cannot be used to predict folate dependency in bifidobacteria. Similarly, having all required genes cannot always predict folate production, as B. longum subsp. infantis RECb4 contained a full set of pathway genes, but required folate or PABA for growth. While many bifidobacteria can produce folate, this also cannot be used to predicate their ability to supply folate as some can act as scavengers when folate is readily available in the environment, such as B. breve ATCC 15701 in this study. As bifidobacterial cultures are sometimes considered for use in foods based on their folate production abilities, it is important to consider whether they function as folate scavengers or suppliers when growing in folate containing media.

2'-Fucosyllactose Is Well Tolerated in a 100% Whey, Partially Hydrolyzed Infant Formula With Bifidobacterium lactis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Human milk oligosaccharides are important components of breast milk. We evaluated feeding tolerance of the human milk oligosaccharide 2′-fucosyllactose (2′FL) in a 100% whey, partially hydrolyzed infant formula with the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis ssp lactis strain Bb12 (B lactis; Test) as compared with the same formula without 2′FL (Control) in a randomized controlled trial of healthy infants enrolled at 2 weeks of age (±5 days). After 6 weeks of feeding the assigned formula, the primary outcome of tolerance was assessed using the Infant Gastrointestinal Symptom Questionnaire. Stooling, vomiting, spit-up, crying, and fussing were compared between groups. Seventy-nine infants were enrolled and 63 completed the study per protocol (30 Test, 33 Control). Infant Gastrointestinal Symptom Questionnaire scores were similar between groups (Test 20.9 ± 4.8, Control 20.7 ± 4.3, P = .82). Partially hydrolyzed infant formula with 2′FL and B lactis is tolerated well, as confirmed by a validated multi-symptom index.

Probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis, anti-oxidant vitamin E/C and anti-inflammatory dha attenuate lung inflammation due to pm2.5 exposure in mice.

The incidence of asthma and allergic diseases of the airways is constantly increasing, both in the industrialised and developing countries, due to harmful and excessive quantities of air pollution. Although some studies have shown an effect of dietary supplementation of specific nutrients (especially with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties) in reducing airways inflammatory response, the results are not yet conclusive and the science is still at its infancy. Our hypothesis is that combining such nutrients could provide more benefits than using them alone. The aim of the research project proposed here is to investigate whether specific combinations of nutrients (docosahexanoic acid, vitamin C and E, and Bifidobacterium lactis strain BB-12®, included in an engineered diet) can act synergistically to reduce inflammation given by high level of air pollution. Beside the role of docosahexanoic acid, vitamins C and E on airways inflammatory disease, no study examined the effect of the supplementation of this probiotic strain in pathological conditions caused by air pollution so far. Herein we used a well-established in vivo model for the study of pollution effects, which consists in female BALB/c mice receiving by pharyngeal aspiration either a sham or a particulate matter with diameter <2.5 μm (PM 2.5) containing aerosol. Before treatment, mice were fed either a chow or a supplemented diet. By performing histological analyses and gene expression profiles on lung sections and serum measurement of the cytokine interleukin 10, we found that a specific combination of all the aforementioned nutrients rather than nutrients alone had a synergistic protective effect against PM2.5-induced inflammation. In conclusion, our study support that a supplemental nutritional intervention based on a combination of the probiotic B. lactis BB-12, the anti-oxidant vitamin C and E, and the anti-inflammatory docosahexanoic acid represents a rational option for alleviating air pollution-related lung inflammation.

Effects of Orally-Administered Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Strain BB12 on Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis in Mice.

Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC), is a chronically relapsing inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) constitute barrier surfaces and play a critical role in maintaining gut health. Dysregulated immune responses and destruction of IECs disrupt intestinal balance. Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) is the most widely used chemical for inducing colitis in animals, and its treatment induces colonic inflammation, acute diarrhea, and shortening of the intestine, with clinical and histological similarity to human UC. Current treatments for this inflammatory disorder have poor tolerability and insufficient therapeutic efficacy, and thus, alternative therapeutic approaches are required. Recently, dietary supplements with probiotics have emerged as promising interventions by alleviating disturbances in the indigenous microflora in UC. Thus, we hypothesized that the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis strain BB12 could protect against the development of colitis in a DSS-induced mouse model of UC. In the present study, oral administration of BB12 markedly ameliorated DSS-induced colitis, accompanied by reduced tumor necrosis factor-α-mediated IEC apoptosis. These findings indicate that the probiotic strain BB12 can alleviate DSS-induced colitis and suggest a novel mechanism of communication between probiotic microorganisms and intestinal epithelia, which increases intestinal cell survival by modulating pro-apoptotic cytokine expression.

Adjunctive probiotic microorganisms to prevent rehospitalization in patients with acute mania: A randomized controlled trial.

Immunological abnormalities play a role in the pathophysiology of mania and have been associated with relapse. Probiotic organisms such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria modulate inflammation in humans and animal models. The trial examined whether the administration of probiotic organisms prevents psychiatric rehospitalizations in patients recently discharged following hospitalization for mania. Patients hospitalized for mania (N=66) were randomized after discharge to receive 24weeks of adjunctive probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis strain Bb12) or adjunctive placebo in a parallel two-group design format. The effect of treatment group on the risk of rehospitalization was calculated using Cox regression models. The modulating effect of systemic inflammation was measured employing an inflammation score based on immunoglobulin levels directed at previously defined antigens. During the 24-week observation period there were a total of 24 rehospitalizations in the 33 individuals who received placebo and eight rehospitalizations in the 33 individuals who received the probiotics (z=2.63, P=.009). Hazard functions indicated that the administration of the probiotics was associated with a significant advantage in time to all psychiatric rehospitalizations (hazard ratio [HR] =0.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.10, .69; P=.007). Probiotic treatment also resulted in fewer days rehospitalized (mean 8.3 vs 2.8days for placebo and probiotic treatment, respectively; χ2 =5.17, P=.017). The effect of the probiotic treatment on the prevention of rehospitalization was increased in individuals with elevated levels of systemic inflammation at baseline. Probiotic supplementation is associated with a lower rate of rehospitalization in patients who have been recently discharged following hospitalization for mania.

Interventions for treating collagenous colitis.

Interventions for treating collagenous colitis.

Immunomodulatory Effects of Probiotic Supplementation in Schizophrenia Patients: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Although peripheral immune system abnormalities have been linked to schizophrenia pathophysiology, standard antipsychotic drugs show limited immunological effects. Thus, more effective treatment approaches are required. Probiotics are microorganisms that modulate the immune response of the host and, therefore, may be beneficial to schizophrenia patients. The aim of this study was to examine the possible immunomodulatory effects of probiotic supplementation in chronic schizophrenia patients. The concentrations of 47 immune-related serum proteins were measured using multiplexed immunoassays in samples collected from patients before and after 14 weeks of adjuvant treatment with probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis strain Bb12; n = 31) or placebo (n = 27). Probiotic add-on treatment significantly reduced levels of von Willebrand factor (vWF) and increased levels of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), RANTES, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1 beta (MIP-1) beta with borderline significance (P ≤ 0.08). In silico pathway analysis revealed that probiotic-induced alterations are related to regulation of immune and intestinal epithelial cells through the IL-17 family of cytokines. We hypothesize that supplementation of probiotics to schizophrenia patients may improve control of gastrointestinal leakage.

Effect of probiotic supplementation on schizophrenia symptoms and association with gastrointestinal functioning: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

A range of immune system abnormalities have been associated with schizophrenia. Probiotic compounds modulate the immune response and offer a potential treatment strategy for schizophrenia. Probiotic compounds have also been observed to improve gastrointestinal dysfunction, which is a common problem in individuals with schizophrenia. We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to examine whether probiotic supplementation can reduce symptom severity in patients with schizophrenia receiving antipsychotic treatment and also whether probiotics are associated with bowel functioning. Outpatients with schizophrenia (N = 65) meeting DSM-IV criteria and with at least moderately severe psychotic symptoms were enrolled in the study from December 2010-August 2012. Following a 2-week placebo run-in period, patients were randomly assigned to 14 weeks of double-blind adjunctive probiotic (combined Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis strain Bb12) or placebo therapy. Psychiatric symptoms were assessed biweekly with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and patients were queried weekly about their gastrointestinal functioning. Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed no significant differences in the PANSS total score between probiotic and placebo supplementation (F = 1.28, P = .25). However, patients in the probiotic group were less likely to develop severe bowel difficulty over the course of the trial (hazard ratio = 0.23; 95% CI, 0.09-0.61, P = .003). Probiotic supplementation may help prevent a common somatic symptom associated with schizophrenia. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01242371.

Galactoglucomannan Extracted from Spruce (Picea abies) as a Carbohydrate Source for Probiotic Bacteria

A prebiotic is a nonviable food component that confers a health benefit on the host associated with modulation of the microbiota. Hemicelluloses are the second most common group of polysaccharides in nature and they occur in plant cell walls. The predominant hemicellulose in softwood species is galactoglucomannan, and based on its chemical structure and information available about similar saccharides, galactoglucomannan may be postulated to have prebiotic properties. In this study we demonstrated that Bifidobacterium species are able to ferment hemicellulose-derived saccharides. Significant stimulatory effects on the growth rates of bifidobacteria were found when galactoglucomannan or its hydrolysis products were present. Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis strain Bb12, a commonly used probiotic, was able to adapt to the galactoglucomannan leading to more efficient utilization of hemicellulose-derived saccharides. Our study demonstrates prebiotic properties for galactoglucomannan and warrants the next step, that is, characterization of the effects of galactoglucomannan in food.

Secreted Factors from Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Inhibit NF-κB-Mediated Interleukin-8 Gene Expression in Caco-2 Cells

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis strain BB12 in stimulated Caco-2 cells and to characterize the factors responsible for these anti-inflammatory effects. Characterization and purification studies indicate that BB12's anti-inflammatory factors might include a 50-kDa proteinaceous compound that is stable under a variety of heat and pH conditions.

Detection of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (Bb12) in the Intestine after Feeding of Sows and Their Piglets

A real-time PCR method has been developed to distinguish Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies in the gastrointestinal tracts of pigs. Identification of a highly conserved single-copy tuf gene encoding the elongation factor Tu involved in bacterial protein biosynthesis was used as a marker to differentiate homologous Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (strain Bb12) from Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. animalis, as well as Bifidobacterium suis, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium longum, several species of Lactobacillus, and Enterococcus faecium. Real-time PCR detection of serially diluted DNA extracted from a pure culture of Bb12 was linear for bacterial numbers ranging from 10 to 10,000 tuf gene copies per PCR (r(2) = 0.99). Relative differences in Bb12 bacterial numbers in pigs fed daily with Bb12 were determined after detection of Bb12 tuf gene copies in DNA extracted from the intestinal contents. Piglets treated with Bb12 immediately after birth maintained a high level of Bb12 in their large intestines with continuous daily administration of Bb12. Piglets born to Bb12-treated sows during the last third of their gestation and also treated with Bb12 at birth (T/T group) had a higher number of Bb12 organisms per gram of intestinal contents compared to placebo-treated piglets born to placebo-treated sows (C/C group), Bb12-treated sows (T/C group), or piglets born to placebo sows but treated with Bb12 immediately after birth (C/T group). In addition, there was a significant increase in gene expression for Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) in piglets from the T/T group, with no change in TLR2 and TLR4. These findings suggest that the tuf gene represents a specific and functional marker for detecting Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis strain Bb12 within the microbiota of the intestine.

Interventions for treating collagenous colitis

Collagenous colitis is a cause of chronic diarrhea. Treatment has been based mainly on anecdotal evidence. This review was performed to identify therapies for collagenous colitis that have been proven in randomized trials. To determine effective treatments for patients with collagenous colitis. Relevant papers published between 1970 and December 2007 were identified via the MEDLINE and PUBMED databases. Manual searches from the references of identified papers, as well as review papers on collagenous or microscopic colitis were performed to identify additional studies. Abstracts from major gastroenterological meetings were searched to identify research submitted in abstract form only. Finally, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and the Cochrane Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Functional Bowel Disorders Group Specialized Trials Register were searched for other studies. Ten randomized trials were identified. Seven of these compared active treatment to placebo for treating active disease. Of these, 1 trial studied bismuth subsalicylate, 1 trial studied Boswellia serrata extract, 3 trials studies budesonide, 1 trial studied prednisolone, and 1 trial studied probiotics. One trial compared mesalamine to mesalamine + cholestyramine for treating active disease. Two trials compared budesonide to placebo in maintaining response induced by budesonide. Data were extracted independently by each author onto 2x2 tables (treatment versus comparator and response versus no response). For therapies assessed in one trial only, P-values were derived using the chi-square test. For therapies assessed in more than one trial, summary test statistics were derived using the Peto odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals. Data were combined for analysis only if the outcomes were sufficiently similar in definition. In treating active disease, there were 9 patients with collagenous colitis in the trial studying bismuth subsalicylate (nine 262 mg tablets daily for 8 weeks). Clinical response occurred in 100% of patients who received bismuth subsalicylate compared to 0% of patients who received placebo (P = 0.03). Thirty-one patients were enrolled in the trial studying Boswellia serrata extract (three 400 mg capsules daily for 8 weeks). Clinical response occurred in 44% of patients who received Boswellia serrata extract compared to 27% of patients who received placebo (P = 0.32). A total of 94 patients were enrolled in 3 trials studying budesonide (9 mg daily or in a tapering schedule for 6 to 8 weeks). Clinical response occurred in 81% of patients who received budesonide compared to 17% of patients who received placebo (P < 0.00001). The pooled odds ratio for clinical response to treatment with budesonide was 12.32 (95% CI 5.53 to 27.46), with a number needed to treat of 2 patients. Statistically significant histological response occurred with treatment in all 3 trials studying budesonide therapy. Eleven patients were enrolled in the trial studying prednisolone (50 mg daily for 2 weeks). Clinical response occurred in 63% of patients who received prednisolone compared to 0% who received placebo (P = 0.15). Twenty-nine patients were enrolled in the trial studying probiotics (2 capsules containing 0.5 x 10(10) CFU each of L. acidophilus LA-5 and B. animalis subsp. lactis strain BB-12 twice daily for 12 weeks). Clinical response occurred in 29% of patients who received probiotics compared to 13% of patients who received placebo (P = 0.38). Twenty-three patients were enrolled in the trial studying mesalamine (800 mg three times daily) with or without cholestyramine (4 g daily) for 6 months. Clinical response occurred in 73% of patients who received mesalamine alone compared to 100% of patients who received mesalamine + cholestyramine (P = 0.14). In maintaining response, 80 patients who had responded to open-label budesonide were enrolled in 2 trials studying budesonide (6 mg daily for 6 months). Clinical response was maintained in 83% of patients who received budesonide compared to 28% of patients who received placebo (P = 0.0002). The pooled odds ratio for maintenance of clinical response to treatment with budesonide was 8.40 (95% CI 2.73 to 25.81), with a number needed to treat of 2 patients. Histological response was maintained in 48% of patients who received budesonide compared to 15% of patients who received placebo (P = 0.002). Budesonide is effective for inducing and maintaining clinical and histological response in patients with collagenous colitis. The evidence for benefit with bismuth subsalicylate and for mesalamine with or without cholestyramine is weak. There is no evidence for the effectiveness of Boswellia serrata extract, prednisolone, or probiotics. These agents and other therapies require further study.

Authors' Response to Letter

Reply: We appreciate the interest of Drs Saavedra and Yolken and their thoughts regarding probiotic infant formula and focusing their discussion on Bifidobacteria species. We would like to address their comments in the following paragraphs. Regarding the analogy with antibiotics, perhaps a more appropriate comparison is with live vaccines, in which such a concept of general safety is highly relevant. The comments regarding safety issues in our guidelines are supported by evidence, with relevant citations provided. The market for probiotics continues to rely heavily on health claims made by manufacturers and retailers. The comments brought by a commercial entity interested in bringing Bifidobacterium lactis strain Bb12 to market in infant formula, although important, can pose a conflict of interest but is an interesting concept and worthy of investigation. As Drs Saavedra and Yolken rightfully point out, there is a long history of ingestion of probiotic-type organisms in foods (1,2), but only recently have high-dose probiotic preparations become available for ingestion. The different forms of probiotics can vary greatly (3). Comparison studies of freeze-dried probiotic preparations versus foods naturally containing probiotics or foods that have had probiotics added are lacking. Thus, there remains an unmet need for appropriate and adequate studies in the area of health benefits of probiotics. The safety and use of probiotics in dietetic products for infants was beyond the scope of our review (4), and as stated in our document, the reader is referred to a document written by the Nutrition Committee of the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) (5), the conclusion of which was that there was no evidence at that time to support long-term clinical benefit of probiotic infant formulae. We feel the comment that “the greatest evidence of safe use in infants and children, including high-risk populations, has accumulated for Bifidobacteria, etc.” is not substantiated based on the presently published evidence. There are a few studies in which safety was a primary study outcome. Drs Saavedra and Yolken are to be commended for their interest to investigate the safety of probiotics (6). Clearly, more studies are needed so that large numbers of infants are followed over longer periods of time. However, the use of Bifidobacteria species in immune-compromised children has not been adequately studied, and thus claims of safety in high-risk populations await confirmation. The study cited in the letter (7), which was funded by Nestlé Nutrition, refers to the use of this probiotic agent in infants born to mothers with HIV, but only in abstract form and without safety data. With regard to the regulatory oversight of commercially available probiotics, there are important differences in regulation of claims regarding nutritional versus pharmaceutical products, with the latter being considerably more rigorous. Coming back to the authors' analogy with antibiotics (or more appropriately vaccines), no antibiotic or live vaccine could be marketed to the public in the way that probiotics are being marketed with the comparable current level of evidence, or lack thereof. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers articles intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease as drugs under section 201(g)(1)(B) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 USC § 321[g][1][B]). According to a recent communication with the FDA, there is no probiotic preparation of any form that has been approved by the FDA as a drug in the United States. Therefore, it will remain the sole responsibility of the prescribing clinician to understand the various strains and preparations commercially available and be able to advise patients accordingly. Finally, the discussion implying that the incorporation of these bacteria into daily foods may decrease the incidence of autoimmune diseases is interesting, but highly speculative.

Removal of the cyanobacterial toxin microcystin-LR by human probiotics

Three human probiotics, Lactobacillus rhamnosus strains GG and LC-705, and Bifidobacterium lactis strain Bb12, were found to bind the cyanobacterial peptide toxin microcystin-LR from water solutions. The highest removal percentage was 46%, observed with heat-treated L. rhamnosus strain GG (10 10 cells/ml) and a microcystin-LR concentration of 0.5 μg/ml during an incubation of 7 h at 35 °C.

Innate mechanisms for Bifidobacterium lactis to activate transient pro‐inflammatory host responses in intestinal epithelial cells after the colonization of germ‐free rats

Bifidobacteria comprise a dominant microbial population group in the human intestinal tract with purported beneficial health effects on the host. In this study, we characterized the molecular mechanisms for the initial interaction of probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis strain BB12 with native and intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) lines. We showed that B. lactis-monoassociated Fisher F344 rats transiently induce phosphorylation/activation of the NF-kappaB transcriptionally active subunit RelA and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 in native IEC at day 5 after initial bacterial colonization. In addition, Interleukin 6 (IL-6) gene expression was significantly increased at day 5, demonstrating the physiological relevance of transient transcription factor activation in IEC. In contrast, Bacteroides vulgatus-monoassociated Fisher rats revealed RelA but not p38 MAPK phosphorylation and failed to trigger significant IL-6 gene expression in native IEC. Moreover, we demonstrated that B. lactis triggers NF-kappaB RelA and p38 MAPK phosphorylation in IEC lines. Adenoviral delivery of mutant IKK-beta (Ad5dnIKKbeta) and inhibition of the p38 MAPK pathway through the pharmacological inhibitor SB203580 significantly blocked B. lactis-induced IL-6 gene expression in IEC, suggesting that B. lactis triggers NF-kappaB and MAPK signaling to induce gene expression in the intestinal epithelium. Regarding the mechanisms of bacteria epithelial cell cross-talk, B. lactis-induced IL-6 gene expression was completely inhibited in TLR2 deficient mouse embryogenic fibroblasts (MEF TLR2-/-) as well as TLR2DeltaTIR transfected Mode-K cells. In conclusion, we demonstrated that probiotic bacteria transiently trigger innate signal transduction and pro-inflammatory gene expression in the intestinal epithelium at early stages of bacterial colonization.